The Shelter and Jay Johnson: The Two and Only

Therere no two ways about it  either youll think Valery Belyakovichs stylized reworking of Maxim Gorkys The Lower Depths is
a work of mad genius or youre going to feel bludgeoned by three hours
of hyper-mannered movement, hoarse declamations and intrusive music. I
happen to fall into the latter demographic, although I do recognize the
dedication and physical endurance of 19 actors who are nearly always
twirling behind whichever characters are speaking at the moment. Set in
a contemporary flophouse, the story is a collection of the biographies
of various types whose lives have been ruined by alcohol. These
include a lawyer, an actor, a whore, a cardsharp  even a deli owner.
Theyve lost everything and are reduced to living in a filthy room
crammed with bunk beds, tyrannized by the flophouses owners (Franklyn
Ajaye and Nicole Ansari Cox) and a crooked cop (Timothy V. Murphy). A
messianic figure named the Wanderer (Donald Lacy) arrives to spread
hope as the plays one real plot unfolds  a love triangle between the
owners wife, her sister (Stasha Surdyke) and the resident thief (Pasha
D. Lychnikoff, who, with co-producer Lee Hubbard, adapted this work for
English). The overuse of a fog machine is one tip-off that were in for
an evening of atmosphere masquerading as philosophy; another is the
recurring use of calliope music to underscore reminiscences, and
Wojciech Kilars theme from Bram Stokers Dracula to suggest
menace. Black Square Productions at the Odyssey Theater, 2055 S.
Sepulveda Blvd., W.L.A.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.; thru March
5. (310) 477-2055.

Steven Mikulan

JAY JOHNSON: THE TWO AND ONLY

{mosimage}Jay Johnson got his big break when he saw a casting notice for a ventriloquist on the TV sitcom Soap .
He auditioned with his wooden sidekick Squeaky. Jay got the part but
Squeaky didnt. In a funny and curiously touching scene, Jay breaks the
news to Squeaky in a way that we share Johnsons belief in the reality
of his characters. In addition to Squeaky, theres belligerent Bob from
Soap , a severed head or two, a talking snake whos afraid of
snakes, a jive-talking monkey who goes ape and a vulture who calls
himself The Bird of Death. The show is a genre-bender, which combines a
history of ventriloquism, a bit of autobiography, hilarious comedy and
the moving tale of a 71-year-old ex-vaudevillian who came out of
retirement to carve Squeaky for young Jay, and shared with him his rich
craft. Johnson considers ventriloquism an art, and he is truly an
artist  as remarkable for his near-magical skill as for his anarchic
wit, charm and humanity. And hes certainly the only ventriloquist who
ever moved me to tears. Richmark Entertainment at the Brentwood
Theater, Veterans Administration Grounds, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., W.L.A.;
Tues.-Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 3 & 7 p.m. (added
perfs some Wed., 2 p.m., call for schedule); thru Feb. 19. (213)
365-3500.

Neal Weaver

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